The Golden State

California State Nickname

Official State Nickname of California

California designated "The Golden State" as the official state nickname in 1968. All State Nicknames

Between California's explosive growth following the discovery of gold in 1848, the fields of golden poppies that appear each spring throughout the state, the golden gate bridge, and the clear, golden coastal sunsets over the Pacific - California truly is the golden state! Gold is also one of California's official state colors and the state mineral.